F-Series Trucks Dominate Canada’s ‘Most-Stolen’ List
If you want a truck nobody’s going to want to steal, you can always buy a Chevy.
Given Canada’s tough and expansive geography, it’s no surprise that Ford trucks are wildly popular there. It should also come as no surprise to learn that the Blue Oval vehicles are also popular with criminals. However, we are surprised by exactly how popular they are. A report shows that 8 out of 10 of the top stolen vehicles in Canada are various models of Ford F-Body trucks.
The report comes via new research conducted by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). At the top of the list of most-stolen vehicles in Canada is, weirdly, the 2015 Lexus GX460 4-Door AWD SUV. After that, it’s mainly Ford trucks from the early to mid-2000s, specifically Ford F-350 and F-250 Super Duty pickup trucks.
‘Criminals continue to favor all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, older, high-end vehicles.’
For some perspective, America’s most-stolen cars tend to be more economical models. The most stolen cars in the U.S. are usually late 1990s Honda Accords and Civics.
2017’s 10 Most Frequently Stolen Vehicles in Canada
This year’s 10 most frequently stolen vehicles in Canada are:
1. 2015 Lexus GX460 4-Door AWD SUV
2. 2007 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
3. 2006 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
4. 2005 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
5. 2001 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
6. 2003 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
7. 2004 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
8. 2016 Toyota 4Runner 4-Door 4WD SUV
9. 2002 Ford F-350 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
10. 2006 Ford F-250 Super Duty 4WD Pickup
“We see from this list that criminals continue to favor all-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, older, high-end vehicles,” said IBC’s Director of Investigative Services, Dan Service, in a press statement.
“Between 2015 and 2016, motor vehicle theft across Canada was down slightly to just over 78,000 cases,” added Service. “After two years of increased reports of auto theft, 2016 saw a 1% decline.”
Security systems have improved dramatically over the past decade to the point opportunist car thieves have to go for older models. In the case of the 2015 Lexus model, the owners may need to be extra cautious when leaving their cars running in the driveway to warm them up in these winter months.
The fact there are so many Ford trucks on the list suggests that they’re mostly being stolen to be broken up for parts or to be shipped off for sale in other countries. Either way, it’s worth reminding people both sides of the Canadian border to check any prospective purchase carefully. The rest of the Ford trucks are, no doubt, reliably hauling illicit cargo around.
IBC’s Tips on Protecting Your Vehicle
IBC reminds you that it takes less than a minute for a car thief to steal your vehicle. The organization suggests that you learn to better protect your vehicle via the following tips:
- Never leave your vehicle running when unattended.
- Park in well-lit areas.
- When parking your car, always close the windows and lock the doors.
- Put valuables and packages in the trunk, where they are out of sight.
- Keep your car in the garage at night.
- Don’t leave personal information in the glove box. Take your insurance docs with you after you park.
Sure, the IBC’s tips are pretty much common sense, but the bottom line is that the harder we make it for someone to take something, then the more likely they are to move on and try somewhere else. For trucks without immobilizers, the aftermarket is inexpensive compared to the loss of a vehicle. Particularly if you’re not afraid of a little wiring.
Of course, if you want a truck nobody is going to want steal then you could always buy a Chevy.
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